inheritance of John Jacob Astor.

William B. Astor, the son of John Jacob, was brought up in
the financial way he should go. He was studious, methodical,
conservative, and had the good sense to carry out the wishes
of his father. His son John Jacob Astor was very much like
him, only of more neutral tint. The time is now ripe for
another genius in the Astor family. If William B. Astor
lacked the courage and initiative of his parent, he had more
culture, and spoke English without an accent. The son of
John Jacob Astor second, is William Waldorf Astor, who
speaks English with an English accent, you know.

John Jacob Astor, besides having the first store for the sale
of musical instruments in America, organized the first
orchestra of over twelve players. He brought over a leader
from Germany, and did much to foster the love of music in
the New World.

Every worthy Maecenas imagines that he is a great painter,
writer, sculptor or musician, side-tracked by material cares
thrust upon him by unkind fate. John Jacob Astor once told
Washington Irving that it was only business responsibility
that prevented his being a novelist; and at other times he
declared his intent to take up music as a profession as soon as
he had gotten all of his securities properly tied up. And
whether he worked out his dreams or not, there is no doubt
but that they added to his peace, happiness and length of
days. Happy is the man who escapes the critics by leaving his
literary masterpiece in the ink.